To be contemplative as Christ is contemplative is to be open to all the fullness that the Father wishes to pour into our hearts. With our minds made still and ready to receive, with our self-generated fantasies about God and ourselves reduced to silence, we are at last at the point where we may begin ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Benedict XVI. For November 2012, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Ministers of the Gospel. That bishops, priests and all ministers of the Gospel may bear the courageous witness of fidelity to the crucified and risen Lord. Pilgrim Church. That the ...read more

The full text of Pope Beendict XVI’s homily at the Mass concluding the XIII Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the New Evangelization. Dear Brother Bishops, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Brothers and Sisters, The miracle of the healing of blind Bartimaeus comes at a significant point in the structure of Saint Mark’s ...read more

Published below is a copy of Pope Benedict’s address he gave yesterday in St. Peter’s Square. He continued his new series of catechesis, speaking about faith. In a surprise move, Pope Benedict also announced plans for a November consistory, which will see the creation and installation of six new Cardinals. Dear brothers and sisters, Last ...read more

This post was submitted by Warren Schmidt, CSB. As October draws to a close, I offer a few reflections on the association of the month of October with Mary. The historical roots of October as a month of Mary are unclear. Some attribute the association between October and Mary to the devotion to Our Lady ...read more

On this month’s edition, Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto continues his series of reflections on the Year of Faith by looking at St. Paul and his gift of faith. Join us for our our second installment of Lectio Divina at the following times: Sunday, October 28 9:00 pm and 1:00 am ET 6:00 pm and ...read more

I’m in the diocese of Gaspé, QC today for World Mission Sunday (29th Sunday in Ordinary Time), October 21, 2012. It is the day when we pray, not only for missionaries all over the world, but also that we can all get in touch with our missionary spirit. When I asked Baptistine Ralamboarison, Secretary General ...read more

Photo courtesy of Servizio Fotografico of l’Osservatore Romano Cheridan Sanders and Sebastian Gomes receiving communion from Pope Benedict XVI at the Mass celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the beginning of the Year of Faith – October 11, 2012 Cheridan Sanders and Sebastian Gomes are the hosts of Salt + Light’s ...read more

S+L’s Kris Dmytrenko is walking  the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. He may write regular updates for the blog, or he may not until he reaches the end–as the spirit (and wifi availability) leads him. It was an appropriate start to my pilgrimage, which will take me along an ancient route in Spain called ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI made a pastoral visit earlier today to the Marian Shrine of Loreto, in Italy. There, he entrusted the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization and the Year of Faith to the Blessed Mother. Published below is a copy of the homily he delivered during Mass at the Shrine of Loreto. ...read more